[mercdv]

Ok, here's my deal. I'm a complete idiot when it comes to welding but I want to start. I've got experience as a rough-in carpenter, do all my own home repairs of course, great a soldering electronics, build my own computers, usually repair things using nuts/bolts/screws and bracing. So as you can see, I have some skills but I lack a very important one...welding. I've been meaning to pick this up for years now.

With the fact that I'm somewhat mechanically inclined, what would be a good setup for a beginner like me. I've been told by several people to start with a decent torch setup and I've been told by others to start with a MIG setup. Honestly, I kind of like the torch because I can use it for cutting as well.

What would be your suggestions?

 

[bstrucker]

A torch is a good first step,it's similar to soldering,and as you say,you can cut with it also but I find cutting most things with a sawzall quicker and easier.Your limitations with a torch are that it doesn't work as well on most metals and it's very slow.I'd recommend a small mig welder,I'd also recommend staying away from the cheap foreign made welders,Lincoln and Hobart both make good inexpensive models.I've got 3 welders counting the torch set,a small mig welder and a Miller AC/DC,I use the mig the most.

 

[Upper5Percent]

Find out if there are any adult welding classes thru your local tech schools...or post on Craigslist you are willing to pay some amount, whatever you think you can afford, to a weldor for some hands-on training...

The old school route of training in welding...started with OxyAcetylene, the Stick, and the MIG/TIG...this is because TIG welding uses quite a bit of the OxyAcetylene skillset

 

[smithrngr]

torch's are used to braze welding and cutting and they are great but pricey with the gauges's and tanks. weather you buy them or you rent them, i pay about 250 bucks every 5 years just for oxy/acy tanksto lease and a exchange for both run me about 100 bucks, and a good set of gauges will run run you between 200 and 300 bucks along then you need hose's and ends. i would recommend a set 2 stage set-up so when you get to cutting heavier metal you are all set. as for a mig i like my mig that i have right now but would love to go bigger,i have a hobart 140 110volt from tsc and it does everything that i need to do and my 75/25 tank for the mig runs me around 35 a year just for the lease and about 20 bucks to have it refilled. but i have a miller 240volt 250amp ac/dc stick for the really big stuff.

 

[Caseguytoo]

You said that you wanted to learn how to WELD. While it is true that you can weld with an oxy/acet unit, no one uses them to do any serious welding any longer.

If I were you, I'd choose a MIG unit that operates on 240 volts AC, that can use bottled gas or fluxed wire and that can deliver 175 amps. Lincoln and Miller both have such units. I have a Lincoln and it works quite well for all the light stuff. I also have a Miller MIG that is much larger for the heavier work that is over 1/4" thick. And of course, I have an older 250 amp stick welder that has served me well over the years and still gets an occasional workout.

Without question, a set of torches are in your future but right now, a MIG unit will make the learning process simpler. Torches are an indespensable tool in any repair shop for heating, bending, loosening rusted fasteners and blowing away fasteners that aren't worth the effort to try and save. Torches are also great for brazing and silver soldering.

Once you have all of the above toys, then a decent plasma cutter makes fabricating so much easier and faster. It's one of those tools that you just don't want to be without once you've got used to having it around.

Check with your local schools. Some places have night time welding courses you can take. Well worth the money for those starting out because you will learn all the basics far faster than you will on your own.

 

[JimC_Vt]

I went thru this issue a few years ago,a co-worker came over with a little Mig welder ,and showed me how easy it was to weld.....I was hooked !!! I dumped app $1000.00 and bought a Lincoln SP-135 & acces. ....it uses gas ,and is easy to use,and runs on 110 volt,so I can bring it with me where ever I go (I like portability )....The other cats meow ,was an auto darkening helmet ,worth every penny I paid......any how ,gas has risen in price like everything else,when I started a bottle of Argon was $28.00,now it's $56.00 ....I usually weld light grade steel,nothing over 1/4" ,and this machine will not weld aluminum ....but for in the garage....it's perfect for tractors,conveyors etc....it has given me no issues,since I purchased it .....

Mig is very easy to learn.....Good Luck,Jim

 

[JimHenry]

But a good MIG setup. I bought a Miller rig several years ago. They set it up, and let me strike an arc, and do a little welding, under their guidance in the back of the shop, before I ever walked out the door. They showed me basic parameters, and showed me what different gas flow rates, heat and wire speed settings did before I ever tried it on my own. Great confidence builder. My rig is also 110V (portability, can use almost anywhere). I could weld Al or Stainless (with the right set-up, and right gas) but I have only welded steel.
I would stay clear of those budget welders at the cheap-o tool places. JH

 

[Steevo]

I second the 110v Miller or Lincoln MIG setup (with the gas option).
You can become quite profficient in a very short period of time with one of these units, and from there you can decide whether to spend big money on anything more elaborate.
Just watch our for that scrap pile. Pretty soon it will be "art", and you'll have no more pieces to use for repairs.

 

[johnboggs21]

MIG welding is probly the easiest to do, but isnt as easy to get right as others make it seem. Personally I prefer a stick welder to a MIG unit, but for a first time id definitly get a MIG. If you can afford the argon gas right away you can buy flux core wire and use it without the gas. Make sure you buy the good flux wire if you do. Their is a major difference btwn the good stuff and the cheapies, trust me.lol Flux core wont lay as good of a bead as solid MIG wire it seems, but it does get the job done. Best of luck to you.

 

[johnboggs21]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTwEoFw4Yic

that video should prove very helpful. Basically everything you need to know to get started.

 

[Kbeitz]

You said that you wanted to learn how to WELD. While it is true that you can weld with an oxy/acet unit, no one uses them to do any serious welding any longer.

Us old timers still do....

 

[Mouse]

These guys are right about the mig welder, as long as you want to weld small stuff. Personaly I've got 6 welders, one for every day of the week, I take off on sunday. I do some large projocts, and I don't want to wait for the duty cycle. Very important, to follow the rules of welding to ensure good welds. I bought a book from HD to help with some basic skills and rules. In high school I recived A+'s in all my welding classes, but did'nt weld for 20 years after, so the book was a good idea for me. I love to weld, arc is my favorite, that much power in my hands feels soooo good!! Mig welding is awsome and easy, but remember it's only 70%, alot of impurities in the weld. Helmets, cheep is good but don't go too cheep safty is #1. Tanks are a whaste of time and $ unless you are going to weld alum or stainless. Hook up with a good welding supply shop, they can be so helpful. Read, watch, and learn, then practice, practice, practice. I've been welding steady for 15 years and still am learning. I hope you enjoy like I do.

 

[Caseguytoo]

Us old timers still do....

True enough but only on really small projects. I wouldn't try to build a car hauler that way. :sidelaugh

 

[ohiocowboy1277]

im not sure if you have a menards where you live but i picked up my welder there for pretty cheap . mine is a clark mig welder the uses 110 has the gas kit built in all you need is the tank and has 4or 5 power settings and adjustable wire speed it ran me about $250 and does an excelent job What also helped my descision on buying this one was the 10yr transformer warrenty and 5 years on everything else .Has the best warrenty ive seen on a welder the hobart welders i looked at were almost $150 more and less of a warrenty i think 7 on the transformer and 2 on everything else . tips and wire excluded on both obviously as these are consumable . Im not down grading any other welders but this was the best buy for my money and does what i need it to

 

[mercdv]

Thanks all, this is great information.

I will start pricing out stuff. I did a quick search and I only found one place in my area the rest are 40 minutes away. I might have to order something but no I have the info I need.

 

[.5racer]

I've welded for years and still do ! I bought a Miller 135 to weld my dirt track car

I also built a wood splitter and will bend the bottom plate before the welds break , has done it allready . 5 welds with the 110 v compard to 5 passes with a stick to me is of little difference . Prep is the ticket.

Have also made a Box Blade, 3-point reciever, Full blown 7'6" snow blade (pics this winter in use ) So dont let the little welder fool you!

 

[*chris*]

You said that you wanted to learn how to WELD. While it is true that you can weld with an oxy/acet unit, no one uses them to do any serious welding any longer.

If I were you, I'd choose a MIG unit that operates on 240 volts AC, that can use bottled gas or fluxed wire and that can deliver 175 amps. Lincoln and Miller both have such units. I have a Lincoln and it works quite well for all the light stuff. I also have a Miller MIG that is much larger for the heavier work that is over 1/4" thick. And of course, I have an older 250 amp stick welder that has served me well over the years and still gets an occasional workout.

Without question, a set of torches are in your future but right now, a MIG unit will make the learning process simpler. Torches are an indespensable tool in any repair shop for heating, bending, loosening rusted fasteners and blowing away fasteners that aren't worth the effort to try and save. Torches are also great for brazing and silver soldering.

Once you have all of the above toys, then a decent plasma cutter makes fabricating so much easier and faster. It's one of those tools that you just don't want to be without once you've got used to having it around.

Check with your local schools. Some places have night time welding courses you can take. Well worth the money for those starting out because you will learn all the basics far faster than you will on your own.

This is good advice, a 240v MIG is a joy to use and will give you the confidence to try more difficult welding processes (stick, tig, oxy/fuel, etc)

I would suggest a class as well.

Chris

 

[Caseguytoo]

The reason I suggested a MIG that uses 240 volts instead of 120 is because of the higher amperage the 240 volt welder is capable of putting out. There's nothing technically wrong with the 120 volt units but they do have their limitations. Of course, a 120 volt outlet is pretty much everywhere but that doesn't mean that you can just plug a welder in and start welding. Household branch circuits can have up to 12 other devices on them that all use current.

Welders are a high current draw appliance. They should be on a dedicated circuit breaker and branch line to prevent breakers from popping and disrupting people who may be watching TV, using a computer etc that are plugged in to the same branch as the welder is plugged into. Going with 240 volts ensures that you're on a dedicated line.

 

[notso]

Welding in the house would be a really bad idea.

 

[franky14]

Do not mean to HI-Jack this thread to much but I am in the same boat as the original poster. I am totally interested in starting and want to start out cheap and slowly. I read and understood where above posters stated not to buy welders form the cheap box stores. I am only showing this as a question that I need more understanding about. Since this is an ARC welder that runs on 110 does this mean that I am only doing very thin steel because it is only putting out:

Welding current: 30-120 amps
Duty cycle: @ 115V: 15% @ 65 amps
Duty cycle @ 230V: 6% @ 95 amps

65amps is the most I would get with 110 connection? If I understand it correctly then this is totally worthless arc welder right? If it is not worthless then what are the massive limitations of a cheap welder like this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=55909

Sorry for all of the questions but just starting to learn and understand to make educated decisions!